How to Advocate for Animals

Unique to animal advocacy is the encompassing approach to the subject matter. To successfully resolve issues on behalf of the animal kingdom advocates need to have a broad spectrum of knowledge and interest. Through animal advocacy, we learn how all factions of life interconnect.

The Environment and Animals

When issues arise with animal mutations, low birth rates, and radical population depletion it is important to examine root causes by exploring potential environmental impacts to reveal any systemic issues. This can involve learning about anything from algae to Ozone. Advocates are not expected to be experts in every field. However, they should be prepared to research and listen to all credible data available on a topic.

Industrial Impact on Animal Life

Although not exclusive to animal extinction, human industrialization is responsible for a majority of the dilemmas faced by the animal kingdom. The principle reason for this is that industrialization has an impact on the totality of animal habitats from polluting the environment to encroachment. A productive way to successfully navigate industrial impact on animal life is through prioritization. Look to the largest imminent threat to focus efforts, as larger threats will likely have greater impacts on the animal kingdom.

Articulating Productive Advocacy

Research all perspectives: The key difference between effective advocacy and futile arguing is in the collection of reliable data from multiple sources. Although this might sound easy, it becomes tougher when you bump into relevant data to a counter perspective. It is truly important to digest all the information rather than dismiss or spin-doctor details that do not suit your position. The absorption of all relevant data ranks as one of the toughest tasks to successfully achieve. This internal struggle can be seen in schoolyard fighting all the way to political deadlocking. It can impact ego, perceived power, financial security, and cultural or personal mores.

Avoid arguing right verses wrong: A person’s base perspective is an opinion, which differs from an informed perspective. An opinion carries with it insight into personal mentality, which can neither be construed as “right” nor “wrong.” Formulating personal opinions is what makes us thinking beings and communicating those opinions opens dialog for potential personal growth. Because this is a universal trait to humans, there is no productive conclusion to arguing personal opinions and to do so tends to lead to extremist views.

An informed perspective differs from an opinion: A person advocating for a particular animal cause will inherently bring a personal opinion as part of the equation. However, its actual impact should remain diminutive and serve no greater an influence above giving a person interest in a topic. To render an informed perspective one collects information from all relevant points of view and weighs the merits of each argument. Consistent patterns will emerge, which affords advocates the opportunity to openly communicate the common sense of a subject and properly discuss flaws found in other arguments. To harness this skill-set benefits advocates by providing a more uniformed approach to animal issues.

People possess the cognitive ability to weigh the merits of an idea, even before it is implemented. The choice resides in understanding that thoughts can lead to actions that produce destruction or harmony. The key to successful animal advocacy resides in the meaningful balance of both truths. In taking this approach towards animal welfare, people will feel less defeated and more optimistic, less tired and more energized. When people move the thought of everything being connected from an existential mindset to an everyday reality, positive solutions emerge.